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Here is something for you to chew on: a pack of gum was the first ever product to be scanned at a retail check-out using the Universal Product Code. The historical moment happened in Troy, Ohio (US) in June 1974. Right there, the cash register rang up only 67 cents. The Universal Product Code, also known as UPC or UPC code, is a barcode symbology of bars of exactly 1, 2, 3, or 4 units wide each. A symbol "that would endure the inevitable rush of technology that lay ahead", its adoption is credited with stimulating innovation and contributing to the growth of international retail supply chains. So, this Black Friday, blame your shopping spree on the reliability of the Universal Product Code. Discover the fascinating composition that keeps track of your purchases ➡️ https://w.wiki/8WaG

Squash and pumpkin are culinary chameleons, appearing even where you do not expect them. In Korea, pumpkin porridge and steamed rice cakes offer warmth and gentle sweetness. Afghan and Turkish cooks fry pumpkin slices with spices for kadu bouranee, while Somali maraq soup sometimes features pumpkin. Bengal boasts a sweet mash called misti kumra bhorta. Pumpkin bread has become a staple in many countries, and in Taiwan, shredded pumpkin enriches stir‑fried vermicelli noodles. Pumpkin seed oil flavors salads and soups in parts of Europe. Many cultures stuff whole squashes with rice, meats, nuts, and dried fruits. The Armenian dish ghapama bakes a pumpkin filled with fragrant rice and dried fruit for festivals. These dishes span everyday meals and holiday feasts. Their variety reflects how a single plant can be transformed by regional ingredients and traditions – a shared agricultural heritage and culinary creativity. Dig into a hearty dish of more squash facts ➡️ https://w.wiki/FP3D

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City parents faced a problem in the early 20th century: how to give their babies sunlight and fresh air in small apartments without gardens or balconies. The solution some turned to was the baby cage. A baby cage was a wire enclosure that could be attached to the outside of a window. It allowed infants to spend time outdoors while remaining within the home’s footprint – a response to both limited urban space and health advice of the time. Doctors widely believed that regular exposure to fresh air and sunlight promoted healthy development and prevented disease. The cages appeared in the 1920s and 1930s, especially in London and New York. They were marketed as modern childcare tools and even distributed by London neighborhood groups to families without gardens. Eventually, safety concerns and new ideas about child care led to their disappearance. Today, baby cages are remembered as one of the more unusual inventions shaped by the pressures of urban living and early public health beliefs. Hang out at the article for more knowledge ➡️ https://w.wiki/FaXp

The knight’s tour turns a simple instruction into a fascinating puzzle. It challenges you to move a knight across every square of a chessboard exactly once, following its unique L-shaped pattern. A tour that returns to its starting point is called "closed", while one that ends elsewhere is "open". The problem is centuries old; a ninth-century Indian poem refers to a sequence of moves like a lyrical pattern. Later, mathematicians used it to explore early graph theory concepts. In modern times, computer scientists have devised algorithms that solve the knight’s tour in linear time. Enthusiasts enjoy finding tours that form symmetrical patterns or that cover boards of unusual shapes. The puzzle’s appeal lies in how it shows complex possibilities emerging from a basic rule set. It invites us to see a game board as a playground for creativity and logic. Skip around for a tour of more knowledge ➡️ https://w.wiki/A3Xw

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Can you repeat this without losing your breath? In New Zealand, the hill Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateaturipukakapikimaungahoronukupokaiwhenuakitanatahu has gained a measure of fame as it is the longest place name found in any English-speaking country. Of Māori origin, the name has 85 characters. It roughly translates as "the summit where Tamatea, the man with the big knees, the slider, climber of mountains, the land-swallower who travelled about, played his kōauau (flute) to his loved one". Get tongue twisted ➡️ https://w.wiki/3BMr

Do you have someone who is not quite a friend, not quite an enemy? Tag them. (Just kidding.) The word "frenemy" combines the two roles to describe someone with whom one remains cordial despite underlying tension or rivalry. The term first appeared in the 19th century in US newspapers and gained broader use in the mid-20th century. It applies to personal dynamics as well as international affairs: neighbors compete over fences, colleagues collaborate while vying for promotion, and nations trade while preparing for conflict. Shake hands with more knowledge ➡️ https://w.wiki/_zL2d

CROATOAN 🌲 This English attempt to settle in North America ended with a mystery. In 1587, settlers established a colony on Roanoke Island, now part of North Carolina. Governor John White returned to England for supplies and did not make it back for three years due to war. When he arrived in 1590, the settlement was deserted. Buildings were dismantled and the word “CROATOAN” was carved on a post. White believed the colonists had moved to Croatoan Island to live with a friendly Indigenous group, but storms prevented him from searching. No conclusive evidence of their fate has been found. Some historians think the settlers integrated with local tribes; others suggest they succumbed to disease, starvation, or conflict. Explore the mystery ➡️ https://w.wiki/3jrp

In South Asian folklore, bhootas are restless spirits believed to linger after death. They are often portrayed as human in form but with uncanny features: Their feet face backward, they float above the ground, and they cast no shadows. Bhootas are said to shapeshift into animals or mimic the voices of people they knew. They wear white garments and haunt particular houses or trees, seeking milk or wandering at night. People protect themselves by hanging charms, placing iron objects by doorways, or burning turmeric. Water and iron are thought to repel bhootas. Rituals performed by specialists may help a bhoota move on to reincarnation. Stories of bhootas warn against walking alone at night and explain misfortunes in a society where spirits and the living intermingle. The tales persist in literature and film, blending fear and humor and preserving a vibrant strand of cultural mythology. Get spooky with more bhoota facts ➡️ https://w.wiki/FLhg